Shelbourne goal hero Stephan Negru is wanted at international level by Moldova.
The 20-year-old defender made it a League of Ireland debut to remember on Friday night when he popped up with the equaliser in the Reds’ 1-1 draw away to Finn Harps.
Moldovan authorities have been aware of the youngster for some time now and have already made an approach, with the offer of an Under-21 cap.
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Negru was born in Moldova but moved to Ireland as an infant and is eligible for the Boys in Green.
He has yet to reply to the approach as he is focusing on securing yet more first-team action at Tolka Park this season.
While un-capped to date for Ireland at underage level, more performances like last Friday’s would put him firmly on the radar of Jim Crawford.
The Ireland Under-21 boss is set for a major overhaul of his squad following last Tuesday’s heartbreaking European Championship penalty shootout defeat in Israel.
Of the players that featured in the recent campaign, 26 are overage ahead of the Euro 2025 qualifiers.
They include centre-halves Joel Bagan, Eiran Cashin, Oisin McEntee, Mark McGuinness, Jake O’Brien and Joe Redmond.
Shelbourne boss Damien Duff paid tribute to Negru after his crucial intervention at Finn Park last Friday.
“I’m pleased for Stephan, a goal on his full debut. It’s a great night for the academy, two academy graduates making their full debuts in the Premier Division,” he said.
And the youngster added: “I’m over the moon. I’m obviously disappointed we didn’t get the three points, but it was a tough game. It’s always tough up here against Harps.
“We fought and had our chances, but we didn’t take them. But I’m over the moon with my debut and my goal.”
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